Archive · 9 Aug 2026
Car bomb explodes in Colombia day after president sworn in
On Saturday, a car bomb exploded at a toll plaza in southwestern Colombia, and two security guards were hurt.
It happened one day after a new president named Abelardo de la Espriella started his job.
The army said two rebel groups that used to be part of FARC were responsible because they did not accept a peace deal signed ten years ago.
The new president has warned armed groups that they must accept the rule of law or face the security forces.
On the same day, he moved 117 prisoners to maximum-security jails so criminal groups cannot coordinate crimes from inside.
A neighbor named Elizabeth Zapata said the blast lifted her family out of bed and shattered their windows.
A local governor said the attacks are not isolated but systematic, meant to isolate the region.
The new president does not want to negotiate with armed groups the way the old president, Gustavo Petro, did.
Soldiers and trained dogs were sent to look for other explosive devices near the highway.
Traffic officials were working to get the highway open again.
A car bomb exploded at a toll plaza on the Pan-American Highway in southwestern Colombia on Saturday, injuring two security guards.
The attack came a day after conservative political newcomer Abelardo de la Espriella was sworn in as Colombia's president in Cali.
The army blamed the blast on two dissident FARC factions that rejected the decade-old peace agreement.
De la Espriella ordered the transfer of 117 prisoners linked to previous peace talks to eight maximum-security prisons.
The new president warned armed groups to submit to the rule of law or face the security forces, rejecting predecessor Gustavo Petro's dialogue approach.
- Who
- Abelardo de la Espriella, Colombia's newly sworn-in president; the army; two injured security guards; Transportation Minister Elsa Noguera; Cauca Gov. Jorge Octavio Guzmán; and predecessor Gustavo Petro.
- What
- A car bomb exploded at a toll plaza, and 117 prisoners were transferred to maximum-security prisons.
- When
- Saturday, one day after de la Espriella's inauguration in Cali on Friday.
- Where
- A toll plaza on the Pan-American Highway in southwestern Colombia, connecting Cauca and Valle del Cauca.
- Why
- The army blamed two FARC dissident factions that rejected the peace agreement; the attack came as the new president adopted a tougher security stance against armed groups.
New Administration / Government
Opposition / Armed Groups
Approach to armed groups
New Administration / Government
De la Espriella says armed groups have two paths — submit to the rule of law or confront the security forces — and he has rejected dialogue with them.
Opposition / Armed Groups
Petro promoted dialogue with armed groups during his term, and dissident FARC factions continued attacks.
Election legitimacy
New Administration / Government
The electoral authority officially declared de la Espriella the winner, and international observers gave a positive assessment.
Opposition / Armed Groups
Petro refused to acknowledge the victory, insisting on alleged fraud despite the official declaration.
Prison policy
New Administration / Government
Moving 117 prisoners to maximum-security jails aims to regain permanent control of the prisons and prevent criminal organizations from coordinating illicit activities from inside.
Opposition / Armed Groups
The prisoners were linked to the previous administration's peace talks, and the transfer reverses that dialogue-based approach.
- Event
- Car bomb explosion at a toll plaza
- Location
- Pan-American Highway, southwestern Colombia (Cauca–Valle del Cauca)
- Timing
- Saturday, one day after presidential inauguration
- Injuries
- Two security guards with minor injuries
- Suspected perpetrators
- Two dissident FARC factions that rejected the peace agreement
- New president
- Abelardo de la Espriella, 48, lawyer and businessperson
- Prison measure
- 117 prisoners moved to eight maximum-security prisons
- Witness account
- Elizabeth Zapata, 57, said the blast lifted her family out of bed and shattered windows
